WESTON, Mass. – A somber mood lingered over the Jericho Woods as runners arrived for the Trail Animals Running Club’s TARC Spring Classic on Saturday, April 20. One of their own – Joe Loureiro – wouldn’t be joining them.
Continue reading One Final Finish Line: Loureiro ‘Will Be Missed, But Never Forgotten’Category Archives: Features
Fueled by Community, Crosby Smashes Bay Circuit Trail FKT
NEWBURY, Mass. – Cole Crosby squinted as he looked out across the Atlantic Ocean, the glittery reflection of the sun off the water stinging his tired eyes on this nearly cloud-free day. His nostrils burned as he breathed in the cold ocean air, and his legs shivered in the 44-degree temperature and 15-mile-per-hour wind. The tastes of champagne and Modelo Especial were still fresh on his tongue, crisp celebratory palate cleansers after multiple days on the run.
It’s fair to say Crosby was on the verge of sensory overload as he stood on the edge of Newbury Beach just after noon on Saturday, Nov. 11, a few minutes removed from completing his fastest known time (FKT) effort on the approximately 230-mile long Bay Circuit Trail (BCT). Still, of all the feelings and emotions coursing through his weary body in that moment, one stood out from the rest.
“Fulfilled,” Crosby said matter-of-factly. “That’s the one word.”
It would make sense if Crosby’s fulfillment stemmed from his performance: his time of 2 days, 5 hours, 51 minutes and 14 seconds smashed the supported FKT by more than 38 hours, but that wasn’t really it. Sure, Crosby was proud of his record-setting time, but his fulfillment was rooted in the fact that a much more deeply personal hope came to fruition during the course of his adventure.
Continue reading Fueled by Community, Crosby Smashes Bay Circuit Trail FKT
From Ice to Ultras, Chara Finds Success Through Tenacity, Teamwork
FALL RIVER, Mass. – As Zdeno Chara prepared to sign a one-day contract with the Boston Bruins in September 2022 and officially retire from the National Hockey League following a 24-year career, the future hall-of-famer skimmed the agreement and immediately began to laugh.
After signing the document which allowed him to retire as a Bruin, Chara turned to the crowd assembled.
Continue reading From Ice to Ultras, Chara Finds Success Through Tenacity, Teamwork
Pandemic Provided Perfect Opportunity for Kimball to Craft New Trail-Running Guidebook
Ben Kimball has been a recognizable presence on the New England road-, trail- and ultrarunning scene for more than a decade as a photographer, capturing memories for runners at events ranging from local 5Ks, cross country races and track meets, to the gnarly trails of the Seven Sisters Trail Race and legendary events like the Vermont 100.
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of many races throughout New England, Kimball’s photography workload diminished. Rather than panic, he pivoted and dedicated his time to a project years in the making: he wrote his second trail-running guidebook, “Trail Running Eastern Massachusetts.”
Continue reading Pandemic Provided Perfect Opportunity for Kimball to Craft New Trail-Running Guidebook
The Lynn Woods: Finding my Tribe and Passion for Ultra Running
Armed with a brand new pair of trail shoes and a can of bug spray, I arrived for my first trail race in the Lynn Woods on a hot and humid Wednesday night in 2018.
I had never run trails before. But that night, I pretended I knew what I was doing as I charged up steep, rocky hills and over rolling single track sprinkled with pine needles. At the end of the race, along with the new friends I had made along the way, I crossed the finish line to cheers and flashing cameras.
That night would change the course of my running, and ultimately, my life. I didn’t know it at the time, but I had just begun chasing an ultramarathon dream.
Continue reading The Lynn Woods: Finding my Tribe and Passion for Ultra Running
DeDeo’s ‘Run to Stop the Hate’ Shows Love, Raises Funds for BAGLY, World Central Kitchen
Throughout his years of endurance adventures, Scot DeDeo has balanced his pursuits of speed and distance with a desire to make those miles benefit more than just himself.
Continue reading DeDeo’s ‘Run to Stop the Hate’ Shows Love, Raises Funds for BAGLY, World Central Kitchen
Snowshoe Running for Ultra Runners: A Guide to Getting Started
For ultra marathon runners in New England, snowshoe running is an ideal complement to a training routine. Because ultra runners have long training cycles, sometimes it’s difficult to avoid training for races during the winter months. But snowshoe running can seem a little intimidating.
Continue reading Snowshoe Running for Ultra Runners: A Guide to Getting Started
Traer Torches the Track, Takes 3rd at Desert Solstice
Since emerging on the Massachusetts ultrarunning scene a decade ago, Scott Traer has established himself as a fierce competitor and dominant performer on any surface. Be it technical singletrack that’s New England gnarly, an easy-running rail trail, pavement or track, the 40-year-old doesn’t pass on an opportunity to push his limits and find out what he can achieve. That approach has led him to amass at least 14 ultramarathon victories, set multiple course records, and earn outright wins at the 2015 Vermont 100 and the 2021 Hennepin Hundred.
Continue reading Traer Torches the Track, Takes 3rd at Desert Solstice
Hike Across MA Aims to Give Visibility to Marginalized Trans, Queer, Intersex Communities
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The rumble of the approaching freight train brought conversation to a momentary pause. The train, with at least 40 cars in tow, rolled past the Freight Yard Grill, its thunder reverberating off the walls surrounding the restaurant’s outdoor patio.
It was the loudest noise Su Mittra had heard all day.
After the train disappeared into the distance on its way to the nearby Hoosac Tunnel to continue its journey east, one of Mittra’s dinner companions inquired about climbing Mt. Greylock, the nearby 3,489-foot peak.
“I did that today,” Mittra said matter-of-factly. “Ten miles in I went up Greylock. That was fun!” Continue reading Hike Across MA Aims to Give Visibility to Marginalized Trans, Queer, Intersex Communities
‘Narrow Vision’ Highlights Robidoux’s Boundary-Pushing Run at Western States
BOSTON, Mass. — Kyle Robidoux’s running journey has been all about pursuing the uncomfortable, but he looked fully at ease as he stood in front of the crowd of runners who gathered to watch a screening of a short film about his adventure at the Western States Endurance Run. Continue reading ‘Narrow Vision’ Highlights Robidoux’s Boundary-Pushing Run at Western States
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